Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President of Ohana’eze Ndi’Igbo, has emphasized the significant role played by the Igbo community in developing Lagos, attributing the transformation of the city to the pioneering efforts of Igbo forebearers.
In a widely circulated video, Iwuanyanwu highlighted that when Lagos became the capital of Nigeria, Igbo people played a crucial role by making substantial investments in the state. He pointed out that Igbos arrived in Lagos when it was predominantly swampy and, through their sense of patriotism, invested heavily in transforming the landscape.
Describing the Igbos as the unsung heroes of Lagos, Iwuanyanwu stated, “Lagos was accepted as the capital of Nigeria. Igbos, most of them are dead today; our forebears rose to the challenge.
He said, ‘’Lagos was accepted as the capital of Nigeria. Igbos, most of them are dead today, our forebearers rose to the challenge. The challenge at that time was an investment, massive investments to make the capital, Lagos, a proper, befitting headquarters for Nigeria.
“That is how Igbos scattered all over, moved into Lagos by a sense of patriotism. Igbos came into Lagos, found some swampy land, and bought the Land. Igbos when they came into Lagos, they never came there to take anybody’s property. They came there, bought the land, and converted swampy land into habitable places.
“They built businesses; they built homes and schools; they developed Lagos. In effect, without the enterprise of the patriotism of Nigerians like the Igbos, many other Nigerians did the same, but it will appear that because of population, Igbos were in Large numbers. These pioneers, our forebears, are the heroes of the time, the heroes of what we call today a very strong Lagos. When they came there, Lagos was basically swampy but they converted it into the very wonderful, beautiful headquarters we see today in Nigeria”
Lagos was the federal capital of Nigeria until it was moved to Abuja on December 12, 1991.
